Blog Article
Why USC’s October Schedule Is Sabotaging Their Championship Dreams (And What Every High Performer Can Learn From It)
Most people think October rivalry games are magical.
They’re missing the point entirely.
USC’s October Problem
While other programs optimize their schedules for conference championships, USC flies cross-country in the middle of its toughest stretch.
Notre Dame in October. Then right back into Big Ten play.
It’s like running a marathon, then immediately sprinting 400 meters while your competitors get to rest.
The Independence Advantage
Here’s what Notre Dame gets that USC doesn’t:
- No conference championship game
- Complete scheduling flexibility
- Strategic bye weeks when they need them
- Zero back-to-back rivalry pressure
Meanwhile, USC is locked into:
- Cross-country travel nightmares
- October scheduling chaos
- Big Ten championship requirements
- Playoff implications for every game
This isn’t just about football.
Every high performer faces the same scheduling trap. That monthly client call during your busiest week. The annual conference is right before your biggest deadline. The tradition that worked perfectly 10 years ago, but now creates unnecessary friction.
We keep these commitments because they are important to us. Because changing them feels like giving up.
But innovative competitors know something most people don’t: timing isn’t just logistics—it’s strategy.
The Bottom Line
USC Athletic Director Jen Cohen isn’t trying to kill tradition. She’s trying to save it by making it work within reality.
The best rivalries aren’t preserved by blind loyalty. They’re maintained by smart adaptation.
Your calendar is your competitive advantage. Protect it like your career depends on it.
Because it does.
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